A bruising start for Ireland

IRELAND’S hopes of causing an upset in the Women’s World Cup evaporated in Surrey last night, as England gradually ground them down before recording a bonus-point win.

Philip Doyle’s troops have never beaten England, and despite enjoying periods of territorial dominance, they rarely looked like doing so here.

England crossed as early as the ninth minute through wing Fiona Pocock, but despite their dominance at the set-piece, the floodgates never opened.